Apparatus and Method of Forming Roof Anchors  for a Building

ABSTRACT

An anchor for connecting a roof truss to the wall of a building. The anchor has a panel that associates with a plurality of clamps. The clamps having two surfaces which associate with the panel and the roof truss, respectively. The anchor has a member that extends into the wall. The member may have various shapes to provide increased strength to the anchor. The anchor is connected to the roof truss by a connector that may pass through the clamp and the roof truss. The clamp is attached to the panel by a connector that is adhered to the panel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to construction materials and, more particularly, to anchors for connecting the roof to the walls of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The construction of a building is a time-consuming process. While building techniques have improved and become more efficient, the process for constructing a building requires a substantial amount of time. The construction of a building includes the process of combining multiple dependent features with each other to form one complete building. The possibility of error is constant because of the assorted parts necessary to be assembled to create a building; and, the errors cause substantial time delays.

Errors result from manufacturing error or human error. Manufacturing errors occur when components are not constructed according to the dimensions or specifications provided. An incorrect measurement of any component of the building causes major delays. Because the components are dependent on each other, a miscue in the measurement of one component will have an impact on the entire construction of the building.

Another problem is the considerable amount of time taken to make accurate measurements of every component in the building. Because of the intricate relationship between all of the parts of the building, an accurate measurement is required. If a measurement is not correct by even the smallest of margins, the resulting error can be large and costly. Further, the error causes an increase in time for correction. The workers may be forced to re-cut a new component or make changes to other parts to accommodate the error. Either method results in the waste of goods and workers' time.

The roof of a building is formed by the use of roof trusses. Roof trusses can be made of steel, metal, or wood. The roof trusses need to be anchored to the walls of the building to become part of the building and to prevent the roof from being dislodged. Depending on the weather forces of different regions of the earth, the strength of the anchor varies. The roof trusses can be anchored into the stud located in the wall with nails or bolts directly into the roof truss and the stud. Other techniques include nailing a metal plate around the roof truss and the stud located in the wall.

These techniques provide only so much strength and bonding of the roof truss to the wall. Additionally, the nailing of numerous nails or screws into the roof truss weakens the wood because of all the penetrations into the material. These techniques have limited resistance to the force they can achieve.

If the roof truss is not properly aligned to the stud in the wall, then a time consuming error has occurred. Correcting the error results in lost time and materials. The error may require additional holes being placed in the wall resulting in the wall losing strength and resilience, or the roof truss may need to be reconstructed to correct the error. Correcting the errors on the job site cause waste of time and resources.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention is an anchor for securing a roof truss of a building to a wall comprising a panel having a top surface and bottom surface, the bottom surface being flat, a member having connection to the bottom surface of the panel, the member further having length for placing the member in the wall, a plurality of clamps for adhering the anchor to the roof truss, each having a first area and second area respectively, the first area associating with the top surface of the panel, the first area having an opening, the opening having a length to provide movement of the clamp along the panel, the second area associating with the roof truss, the second area having an opening for providing access to the roof truss, a first connector for attaching the first area of the clamp to the panel through the opening in the first area, and a second connector for attaching the second area of the clamp to the roof truss through the opening in the second area.

In another embodiment, the present invention is a fastener for connecting a roof truss to a wall comprising a panel having a surface for associating with the wall, a member having connection to the surface of the panel, the member further having length for placing the member in the wall, a plurality of clamps attached to the panel for connecting the anchor to the roof truss, each having an area for associating with the roof truss, the area having an opening for providing access to the roof truss, and a connector for attaching the clamps to the roof through the opening in the area.

In another embodiment, the present invention is a method of forming an anchor for anchoring a roof truss of a building to a wall comprising of providing a panel for associating with the wall, providing a member having connection to the panel, the member further having length for placing the member in the wall, providing a plurality of clamps for adhering the anchor to the roof truss, each having a first area and second area respectively, the first area associating with the panel, the first area having an opening, the opening having a length to provide movement of the clamp along the panel, the second area associating with the roof truss, the second area having an opening for providing access to the roof of the building, providing a first connector for attaching the first area of the clamp to the panel through the opening in the first area, and providing a second connector for attaching the second area of the clamp to the roof truss through the opening in the second area.

In another embodiment, the present invention is a building structure having a roof truss anchored to a wall by a process of comprising the steps of providing a panel for associating with the wall, providing a member having connection to the panel, the member further having length for placing the member in the wall, providing a plurality of clamps for adhering the anchor to the roof truss, each having a first area and second area respectively, the first area associating with the panel, the first area having an opening, the opening having a length to provide movement of the clamp along the panel, the second area associating with the roof truss, the second area having an opening for providing access to the roof truss, providing a first connector for attaching the first area of the clamp to the panel through the opening in the first area, and providing a second connector for attaching the second area of the clamp to the roof truss through the opening in the second area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a roof truss connected with an anchor;

FIG. 2 illustrates an anchor adhered to a wall and connected to a roof truss;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an anchor;

FIG. 4 illustrates an anchor with only one surface for the clamp;

FIG. 5 illustrates an anchor with a U-shaped member;

FIGS. 6A-E illustrate various shapes of the member;

FIGS. 7A-B illustrate the relationship of the anchor and the roof of a building.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described in one or more embodiments in the following description with reference to the Figures, in which like numerals represent the same or similar elements. While the invention is described in terms of the best mode for achieving the invention's objectives, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents as supported by the following disclosure and drawings.

The construction of a building can be made more efficient by the use of pre-manufactured pieces that are used on the job site. The pieces can be made in a controlled environment that will ensure the piece is constructed to the desired dimensions and materials that are desired by the builder. The use of pre-manufactured pieces allows the workers on site to work efficiently and not have to make any measurements in order to use the pieces.

To construct a building with the anchors as described herein, an architect or builder designs the layout of the building structure. The building may be a home, office, industrial, hotel, or commercial structure of any size and shape and as tall as the local building codes permit. The building designer creates a blueprint of the building, including dimensions for the roof of the building. The roof of the building provides shelter and protection to the inside of the building. The roof of a building may be flat or have any desired pitch as called for by the building plans. The roof is constructed by creating roof trusses that form the shape of the roof. The roof trusses may be constructed of wood, steel, or metal.

FIG. 1 illustrates the relationship of an anchor and a roof truss. Anchor 10 is used to attach roof truss 12 to the wall of the building. Roof truss 12 may have a width of 2 to 4 inches. In one embodiment, anchor 10 is a fastener. Anchor 10 may be constructed of variety of materials, including steel, aluminum, metal, or wood. The choice of material depends on various factors, such as weather forces of the region, how the wall is constructed, and what material the wall is constructed of.

Anchor 10 mates with panel 14. Panel 14 has a thickness which depends on the type of building being constructed. The thickness provides weight to anchor 10. The thickness may be 0.5 to 3 inches. Panel 14 has an area with a length and width. Panel 14 may have a length to provide area for a plurality of clamps 21 to be placed on panel 14. The length of panel 14 may be enough to allow for two clamps 21 to associate with roof truss 12, but must be of length to allow one clamp 21 to attach to roof truss 12. The length of panel 14 may be limited by the space between two roof trusses 12 in order to allow one anchor 10 to attach to each roof truss 12. The distance between each roof truss 12 may depend on the size of the roof described in the building plans and the desired pitch of the roof.

The width of panel 14 may be dependent on the width of the wall on which anchor 10 is placed. The width of panel 14 may be equal to the width of the wall to allow a flush surface between the roof and the wall to be constructed. The width of panel 14 must be at least equal to the width of clamp 21 because panel 14 provides the area for clamp 21 to be located. The design of a building may call for the wall and roof to form a flush surface, so having a width of panel 14 that is not greater than the width of the wall will allow a flush surface to be formed between the wall and roof.

Panel 14 has two surfaces. The bottom surface associates with the top of the wall. Member 24 is connected to the bottom surface of panel 14. The bottom surface of panel 14 may be flat to provide the most surface contact with the top of the wall. Having a greater amount of contact with the top of the wall allows anchor 10 to have better attachment to the wall.

The top surface of panel 14 provides an area for a plurality of clamps 21 to be located. The top surface of panel 14 may be flat to allow clamps 21 to have increased surface contact with the top surface of panel 14. The top surface may have raised portions to act as a locking mechanism for clamp 21.

Attached to the top surface of panel 14 is first connector 18. First connector 18 is adhered to a location on panel 14 to allow clamps 21 to be secured to panel 14. First connector 18 may be threaded to allow a nut to be used to connect clamp 21 with panel 14. First connector 18 may be a nail, screw, nut and bolt system, or pinion. Anchor 10 may have the same number of connectors 18 as the number of clamps 21 to be used in anchor 10. When more than one first connector 18 is used in anchor 10, the location of connectors 18 must be a distance apart from each other to allow a roof truss 12 to be connected between clamps 21.

Clamp 21 has two areas, first and second area, respectively. First area 16 associates with the top surface of panel 14. First area 16 has a width to allow first connector 18 to pass through opening 20. A greater width of first area 16 allows more contact of clamp 21 with panel 14. The width of first area 16 may be about 2 to 8 inches. First area 16 has a height. The height may not be greater than the height of first connector 18 because first connector 18 must extend beyond first area 16 to allow for clamp 21 to be attached to panel 14. The height of first area 16 may be about 0.5 to 2 inches.

First area 16 has an opening 20. Opening 20 has a length less than the length of first area 16. By opening 20 having length, clamp 21 may move along panel 14. Because errors occur in measurements, roof truss 12 may not end up in the location called for in the building plans. The length of opening 20 allows for clamp 21 to move along panel 14 to attach roof truss 12 to anchor 10. Anchor 10 may be placed in the wall prior to the placement of roof truss 12. Therefore, the ability to move clamp 21 along panel 14 provides the capability of using anchor 10 even though roof truss 12 is not at the designed location.

Opening 20 allows roof truss 12 to be attached to anchor 10 without having to remove anchor 10 from the wall. Clamp 21 may move along panel 14 until it contacts roof truss 12, and then clamp 21 may attach to panel 14 by first connector 18 passing through opening 20. Because opening 20 has length, there is flexibility in the placement of clamp 21 along anchor 10 to account for any errors or mistakes that may occur in the final location of roof truss 12. While first connector 18 is at a fixed location on panel 14, clamp 21 is able to be placed at the desired location because opening 20 has length.

The width of opening 20 must be large enough for first connector 18 to pass through opening 20. First connector 18 must pass through opening 20 to connect clamp 21 with panel 14. The width of opening 20 should not be significantly greater than the width of first connector 18 in order for the best connection and association of first connector 18 with clamp 21. The connection of clamp 21 with panel 14 is helped by the use of friction between first connector 18 and opening 20.

Second area 30 may be connected to first area 16 to form clamp 21. Second area 30 may be welded or soldered to first area 16. The width of second area 30 may be the same as the length of first area 16. The height of second area 30 is enough to provide association with roof truss 12. To provide sufficient anchoring of roof truss 12, second surface 30 must have a height to provide association with roof truss 12. The height of second area 30 may depend on the pitch of the roof and the angle of roof truss 12 compared to anchor 10.

Second area 30 has opening 32 to allow second connector 22 to connect roof truss 12 with clamp 21. Opening 32 is located on second area 30 to allow second connector 22 to contact roof truss 12. Second area 30 may have additional openings 32 to allow for more connectors 22 to anchor roof truss 12 to anchor 10.

Second connector 22 must have length to provide sufficient connection of roof truss 12 to clamp 21. When more than one clamp 21 is used, second connector 22 may have a length to pass through each clamp 21 and roof truss 12. The width of second connector 22 must not be greater than opening 32. Second connector 22 may be a nail, screw, nut and bolt system, or pinion. FIG. 1 illustrates two clamps 21 connecting roof truss 12 with second connector 22 passing through roof truss 12 and each clamp 21.

FIG. 2 illustrates anchor 10 placed in wall 28. Anchor 10 is located on top of wall 28 on surface 26. Walls of a building may be constructed of various hardening materials including concrete. Anchor 10 may be placed on wall 28 while the concrete is solidifying. Member 24 is placed into the concrete while the concrete is hardening so when the concrete has solidified, anchor 10 is attached to wall 28. FIG. 2 demonstrates anchor 10 having a width equal to the width of the wall to allow the roof to form a flush surface.

Member 24 may have a bend. The bend in member 24 allows anchor 10 to have a strong connection with wall 28 after the hardenable material has solidified. Anchor 10 is able to withstand greater force when member 24 has a bend. The bend may be ninety degrees as shown in FIG. 2. Member 24 has length to allow sufficient anchoring of anchor 10 in the wall after the material has solidified.

FIG. 1 illustrates anchor 10 having two first opening 20 and two first connector 18. FIG. 2 illustrates first area 16 having a continuous surface which is anchored to panel 14 by welding or soldering. By having first area 16 permanently fixed to panel 14, anchor 10 may have a strong connection between clamp 21 and panel 14. In another embodiment, one anchor 10 is anchored to panel 14 and the opposing anchor 10 is secured with connector 18 through an opening 20, as described above.

Anchor 10 may be constructed having two clamps 21, one clamp 21 having a first opening 20 and first connector 18, as illustrated in FIG. 1, and the other clamp 21 having first area 16 adhered to panel 14, as illustrated in FIG. 2. An anchor 10 created with the configuration as described would allow one clamp 21 to adjust for any mistake that was made in placing anchor 10 in the wall for aligning the roof truss and anchor 10. Clamp 21 may be located in such a manner to allow the roof truss to be connected to anchor 10 by locating the roof truss between the two anchor 10 and connecting the roof truss as illustrated in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of anchor 10. First area 16 has an opening 20. Opening 20 has a length to allow clamp 21 to slide along panel 14. The ability to move panel 21 provides the ability to move clamp 21 along panel 14 to correct any mistakes or errors that may occur in the final location of roof truss 12. Anchor 10 may be placed onto wall 28 before roof truss 12 is associated with anchor 10. Anchor 10 is placed onto wall 28 at the location that roof truss 12 is designed to be located. However, errors may occur that cause roof truss 12 to not be located at the designed location. By having the flexibility to move clamp 21 along panel 14 because of opening 20 having length, anchor 10 may still be utilized to anchor roof truss 12 even when roof truss 12 is not at the desired location.

First area 16 and second area 30 are illustrated as having a width equal to the width of panel 14 in FIG. 3. Having a width equal to panel 14 allows for first area 16 to have the greatest association with panel 14. The greater association provides increased strength to anchor 10. Similarly, second area 30 having the greater surface area creates greater association with roof truss 12. The more contact between second area 30 and roof truss 12 allows increased strength for anchor 10. Anchor 10 is able to withstand greater force and keep roof truss 12 connected to wall 28. The surface area of second area 30 must be of an amount to allow second area 30 to associate with roof truss 12 and have opening 32. Second area 30 may have various shapes, such as half circle, half oval, square, or rectangular. Second area 30 may have a shape that coincides with the shape of roof truss 12.

FIG. 4 illustrates clamp 21 having only second surface 30. Second surface 30 is attached to the top surface of panel 14. Second surface 30 may be welded or soldered to panel 14. The removal of first area 16 from clamp 21 allows for a flatter top surface of panel 14. The building design may require a flat surface for anchor 10 in order to form a flush surface between the wall and the roof.

As demonstrated in FIG. 4, clamps 21 may be located sufficient distance apart to allow for roof truss 12 to be located between clamps 21. The distance may allow a tight fit between clamps 21 to provide increased association of roof truss 12 and clamps 21. Roof truss 12 is connected to anchor 10 by second connector 22 passing through clamps 21 and roof truss 12. Second connector 22 may be a bolt that is fastened with a nut to connect roof truss 12 to anchor 10. The increased connection between roof truss 12 and anchor 10 provides resistance to various forces to keep the roof attached to the building.

FIG. 5 illustrates member 24 being U-shaped. Member 24 is attached to panel 14. Member 24 is placed into the wall when the wall is being formed. Anchor 10 is attached to the wall by the encompassing of member 24 in the hardenable material during the formation of wall 28. When the material hardens, anchor 10 is adhered to wall 28. By member 24 having more length and surface area, member 24 provides greater anchoring of anchor 10. FIG. 5 illustrates member 24 having a U-shape and two connections to the bottom surface of panel 14. The U-shape allows anchor 10 to be attached to wall 28. The U-shape member 24 allows anchor 10 to be carried on the job site by a worker.

FIGS. 6A-D illustrate the various shapes and structures of member 24. Anchor 10 may have one member 24, or a plurality of members 24. The greater number of members 24 on anchor 10, the increased fixation of anchor 10 into wall 28. FIG. 6A illustrates member 24 being a straight member located in the middle of panel 14. Member 24 may be located at any location along panel 14. The middle location provides an increased ability to evenly adhere anchor 10 to wall 28.

FIG. 6B illustrates member 24 having a bend. The bend increases the ability of member 24 to hold anchor 10 to wall 28. The bend may be ninety degrees. The bend provides increased strength to anchor 10 because the hardened material is able to have a better hold on member 24. It is more difficult to remove member 24 that contains a bend than a straight member 24.

FIG. 6C illustrates member 24 having a threaded surface. A threaded surface for member 24 provides increased attachment of anchor 10 to wall 28. The more surface area for the hardened material to associate with member 24, the greater connection formed. The number and size of the threads on member 24 may be increased to provide greater resistance to forces that the roof may be subjected to based on the location of the building.

FIG. 6D illustrates member 24 having a bend in member 24. The bend may be located at various locations along member 24. Member 24 depicted in FIG. 6D provides increased resistance to force. After the material has hardened, a bend located at any point along member 24 provides greater attachment of anchor 10 to wall 28 than a straight member 24. The bend may be smooth or at an angle.

FIG. 6E illustrates member 24 having curves. Member 24 may have a corkscrew shape as member 24 extends away from panel 14. The increased surface area of member 24 provides increased bonding ability of member 24 with the hardenable material forming wall 28. Anchor 10 may be further secured into wall 28 when member 24 has multiple curves or is corkscrew shaped.

FIGS. 7A and B illustrate building 70 with roof truss 12 attached to the wall with anchor 10. FIG. 7A illustrates roof truss 12 forming the edge of roof 72 and being attached to anchor 10. Roof truss 12 is connected to second surface 30 by second connector 22. Roof truss 12 provides the form for roof 72. Roof 72 may have a pitch or be at angle as depicted in FIG. 7A. Building 70 may have a flat roof or a roof with significant pitches. Second area 30 may connect a roof truss 12 that is at an angle compared to the wall because second area 30 has sufficient height. Anchor 10 is able to connect roof truss 12 notwithstanding the pitch or angle of roof 72.

FIG. 7B depicts a side view of building 70. FIG. 7B illustrates the use of multiple anchors 10 to connect roof trusses 12. By using anchor 10 on multiple roof truss 12, roof 72 will have increased strength to resist forces. Anchor 10 may have length such that a plurality of anchors 10 may be used on roof trusses 12 that are located next to each other. Roof 72 may be constructed through the use of multiple roof trusses 12, and a plurality of anchors 10 may be used to provide connection between each respective anchor 10 and roof truss 12. Anchors 10 become part of building 70 when roof trusses 12 are attached to anchor 10 and building 70 is completed.

While one or more embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in detail, the skilled artisan will appreciate that modifications and adaptations to those embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims. 

1. An anchor for securing a roof truss of a building to a wall, comprising: a panel having a top surface and bottom surface, the bottom surface being flat; a member having connection to the bottom surface of the panel, the member further having length for placing the member in the wall; a plurality of clamps for adhering the anchor to the roof truss, each having a first area and second area respectively, the first area associating with the top surface of the panel, the first area having an opening, the opening having a length to provide movement of the clamp along the panel, the second area associating with the roof truss, the second area having an opening for providing access to the roof truss; a first connector for attaching the first area of the clamp to the panel through the opening in the first area; and a second connector for attaching the second area of the clamp to the roof truss through the opening in the second area.
 2. The anchor of claim 1, wherein the member includes a U-shape.
 3. The anchor of claim 1, wherein the member includes a bend.
 4. The anchor of claim 1, wherein the member includes a threaded surface.
 5. The anchor of claim 1, wherein the first area of one of the clamps is a continuous surface.
 6. The anchor of claim 5, wherein the continuous surface of the first area of one of the clamps is adhered to the top surface of the panel.
 7. The anchor of claim 1, wherein the first connector is selected from the group consisting of nail, screw, nut and bolt system, and pinion.
 8. The anchor of claim 1, wherein the second connector is selected from the group consisting of nail, screw, nut and bolt system, and pinion.
 9. A fastener for connecting a roof truss to a wall, comprising: a panel having a surface for associating with the wall; a member having connection to the surface of the panel, the member further having length for placing the member in the wall; a plurality of clamps attached to the panel for connecting the anchor to the roof truss, each having an area for associating with the roof truss, the area having an opening for providing access to the roof truss; and a connector for attaching the clamps to the roof through the opening in the area.
 10. The fastener of claim 9, wherein the member includes a U-shape.
 11. The fastener of claim 9, wherein the member includes a threaded surface.
 12. The fastener of claim 9, wherein the member includes a bend.
 13. The fastener of claim 9, wherein the clamps include a second area for attaching the clamp to the panel.
 14. The fastener of claim 9, wherein the connector is selected from the group consisting of nail, screw, nut and bolt system, and pinion.
 15. A method of forming an anchor for anchoring a roof truss of a building to a wall, comprising: providing a panel for associating with the wall; providing a member having connection to the panel, the member further having length for placing the member in the wall; providing a plurality of clamps for adhering the anchor to the roof truss, each having a first area and second area, respectively, the first area associating with the panel, the first area having an opening, the opening having a length to provide movement of the clamp along the panel, the second area associating with the roof truss, the second area having an opening for providing access to the roof truss; providing a first connector for attaching the first area of the clamp to the panel through the opening in the first area; and providing a second connector for attaching the second area of the clamp to the roof truss through the opening in the second area.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the member includes a U-shape.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the member includes a bend.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the member includes a tapered surface.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the first area of the clamps is a continuous surface.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the continuous surface of the first area of one of the clamps is adhered to the top surface of the panel.
 21. The method of claim 15, wherein the first connector is selected from the group consisting of nail, screw, nut and bolt system, and pinion.
 22. The method of claim 15, wherein the second connector is selected from the group consisting of nail, screw, nut and bolt system, and pinion.
 23. A building structure having a roof truss anchored to a wall by a process of comprising the steps of: providing a panel for associating with the wall; providing a member having connection to the panel, the member further having length for placing the member in the wall; providing a plurality of clamps for adhering the anchor to the roof truss, each having a first area and second area respectively, the first area associating with the panel, the first area having an opening, the opening having a length to provide movement of the clamp along the panel, the second area associating with the roof truss, the second area having an opening for providing access to the roof truss; providing a first connector for attaching the first area of the clamp to the panel through the opening in the first area; and providing a second connector for attaching the second area of the clamp to the roof truss through the opening in the second area.
 24. The process of claim 23, wherein the member includes a U-shape.
 25. The process of claim 23, wherein the member includes a bend.
 26. The process of claim 23, wherein the member includes a tapered surface.
 27. The process of claim 23, wherein the first area of one of the clamps is a continuous surface.
 28. The process of claim 27, wherein the continuous surface of the first area of one of the clamps is adhered to the top surface of the panel.
 29. The process of claim 23, wherein the first connector is selected from the group consisting of nail, screw, nut and bolt system, and pinion.
 30. The process of claim 23, wherein the second connector is selected from the group consisting of nail, screw, nut and bolt system, and pinion. 